February 11, 2009 6:06 PM
- Text
N. Korean Nuclear Tensions On Upswing
(CBS/AP)
South Korea's defense chief said Friday that North Korea is likely to have one or two nuclear weapons, amid growing concerns the communist regime may be preparing its first test of an atomic bomb.
Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung told a parliamentary meeting that the Seoul government doesn't doubt the North has nuclear weapons.
"North Korea is now estimated to have one or two" nuclear weapons, Yoon said, according to a video of the meeting posted on the National Assembly Web site.
The comment was seen as a change in South Korea's assessment of the North's nuclear capability, with Seoul previously saying only that the North had the capability to build one or two nuclear weapons.
North Korea has claimed it has nuclear weapons, but it is not known if the isolated country has performed any tests confirming its claims. Many experts believe the North has enough radioactive material to build at least half a dozen nuclear weapons.
Concerns about a possible test flared after an American TV network reported last week, citing U.S. officials, that suspicious activity was observed at a possible underground nuclear test site in the North.
The United States, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea have tried to convince the North to abandon its nuclear program, through six-party negotiations that have been on hold since November.
There have been tensions this week as well.
"If North Korea does carry out its nuclear experiment, it will pose a grave threat to Japan, Northeast Asia and the international community," Shinzo Abe, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said Friday. "It will be absolutely unacceptable."
He declined to confirm or deny reports that Japan has ramped up its surveillance and instead urged Pyongyang to return to the stalled six-party talks on its nuclear disarmament.
"North Korea's nuclear problem should be resolved peacefully through the six party talks," said Abe.
North Korea has refused to return to nuclear disarmament talks until the United States lifts restrictions imposed on the communist regime for its alleged counterfeiting and money laundering.
South Korea and the United States have urged the hard-line regime to return to the talks without conditions, saying it is a law enforcement issue unrelated to the nuclear standoff.
North Korea lashed out Tuesday at current U.S.-South Korean military drills, saying they nullified the armistice in the 1950-53 Korean War and warning that it may take retaliatory action.
Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung told a parliamentary meeting that the Seoul government doesn't doubt the North has nuclear weapons.
"North Korea is now estimated to have one or two" nuclear weapons, Yoon said, according to a video of the meeting posted on the National Assembly Web site.
The comment was seen as a change in South Korea's assessment of the North's nuclear capability, with Seoul previously saying only that the North had the capability to build one or two nuclear weapons.
North Korea has claimed it has nuclear weapons, but it is not known if the isolated country has performed any tests confirming its claims. Many experts believe the North has enough radioactive material to build at least half a dozen nuclear weapons.
Concerns about a possible test flared after an American TV network reported last week, citing U.S. officials, that suspicious activity was observed at a possible underground nuclear test site in the North.
The United States, China, Japan, Russia and South Korea have tried to convince the North to abandon its nuclear program, through six-party negotiations that have been on hold since November.
There have been tensions this week as well.
"If North Korea does carry out its nuclear experiment, it will pose a grave threat to Japan, Northeast Asia and the international community," Shinzo Abe, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, said Friday. "It will be absolutely unacceptable."
He declined to confirm or deny reports that Japan has ramped up its surveillance and instead urged Pyongyang to return to the stalled six-party talks on its nuclear disarmament.
"North Korea's nuclear problem should be resolved peacefully through the six party talks," said Abe.
North Korea has refused to return to nuclear disarmament talks until the United States lifts restrictions imposed on the communist regime for its alleged counterfeiting and money laundering.
South Korea and the United States have urged the hard-line regime to return to the talks without conditions, saying it is a law enforcement issue unrelated to the nuclear standoff.
North Korea lashed out Tuesday at current U.S.-South Korean military drills, saying they nullified the armistice in the 1950-53 Korean War and warning that it may take retaliatory action.
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Scott Conroy Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
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